Sy, you are welcome, chuck out any comments I make that don't fit in with your build. I try my best to be as helpful as I can, but even I make mistakes.
When I was an apprentice I was told that anyone who doesn't make mistakes doesn't make anything.
So over my 60+ years of modelling I've made a few mistakes but hopefully I've learnt something from them.
I may be leaving the site soon because of the way the moderators were treated.
Keep modelling, your an inspiration to many.
Cheers Colin.

Sy, what great progress you have made.
To answer your question about resin over Ezekote.
I tried polyester resin and it peeled in hot weather. I contacted Ezekote website and asked about my problem, they told me that any resin that wasn't water based would peel either from vibration or climate variables.
So I always paint directly over the Ezekote with two coats of filler primer before starting on the final coats.
Hope this helps, cheers Colin.

Well shipmate that visit was worth more than medication alone could give you.
I bet you're still smiling after meeting the newest member of the clan.
Stay safe and keep as well as you can, cheers Colin.

Nice to have you back Marky. Hope you're feeling better now you've had a break.
Cheers Colin.

That's great Nerys, at this rate you'll be sailing them soon.
Keep going lass, cheers Colin.

Sy, Le Tonkinois Marine No 1 Varnish.
Gives that glass coated look and it goes on well, but you need to do 1 coat a day with rubbing down between coats, I usually give 6 coats and a final polish with Farecla finishishing compound available at most Good auto paint suppliers.
I know it's a slow process but it's worthwhile and lasts for years.
Cheers Colin.

That's handy to know Nerys, I've used it for furniture repairs and Caroline's dolls houses but never thought about the model boats.
Cheers Colin.

Not getting rid of my mask till it's safe to do so. I have enough health problems to deal with, without risking Covid of any variety.
Stay safe guys and gals, cheers Colin.

Well done Martin, very nicely done and looking very realistic.
But shouldn't the heading be grab rails or hand rails.
Cheers Colin.

Nerys, when I purchased it from the auction it was listed as a model of SS Great Britain .
Although I'm sceptical about that, the general shape is pretty good.
Cheers Colin.

Nicely done Sy, that transom is a good fit sir, keep it going.
Cheers Colin.

The Oldest Model in my collection was built around 1914 using newspaper over a card frame with wooden bracing stiffeners and a wooden deck and masts, with a clockwork motor driving a small tin prop (possably home made).
What you see in the pictures is basically how it was bought from a local clearing auction from a deceased estate in Monmouthshire.
The date of build is based on the newspapers it was built from, sadly the motor had rusted so badly that when i was removing it it fell apart.
The hull is about 3 feet in length and 5 inches wide by 6 inches deep. the two masts are 3/8" dowel 15 inches long.
Although originally when i got it home the paper laminations were coming apart, but I remedied this by spraying the inside with dluted Ezekote and allowing it to soak in and air dry.
Even though its not in a condition to use, many people are curious about it when i take it to the vintage shows.
Cheers Colin.

Nerys, you clever girl, I couldn't remember the name, I remember in the late 60's early 70'sdad managed to get a job with Avon testing ribs, and mid 70's he was testing Metzler ribs. I'd already left home by then but still joined him at weekends when he was testing the compatibility of various RIB and Motor combinations.
Great fun sometimes dangerous in the winter months.
Only ever went overboard once when we hit a sandbank at speed, boat stopped as if we'd hit a wall. I was sat in about 6 inches of water, we couldn't stop laughing.
Happy Times lass, my son and I are now looking for a fishing boat project that we can trailer to the coast for fishing trips.
God knows how the rest of the members put up with my ramblings.
Cheers Colin.

Red, that's blatant piracy!!! lol.
No problem, my son and I are looking for a trailer boat at the end of summer, as we know a few free launching sites on the Welsh coast directly from campsites we use.
Cheers Colin.

JB, I use rc equipment of the same age as the models wherepossible, or keep them for my vintage shows display.
Some of the old valve receivers are hard to get parts for so they are only used for shows.
Cheers Colin.

JB, she was 66ft long OA 60ft at waterline. Dad sold her when he got made redundant and mooring fees for that size of boat were astronomical if you wanted moorings to use all year round at all tide levels.
From then on he bought boats each autumn to refurb ready for spring launch, then sell at end of summer season.
Finally when he and mum retired to the Welsh coast he bought and maintained fishing boats which normally he kept in either Aberaeron Harbour, then Finally in Aberystwyth Harbour. But sadly when he died the rest of the family weren't interested in keeping a boat as it wouldn't get enough use, and I couldn't afford to.
Cheers Colin.

Nerys you are spot on lass, it's my favourite boat, and as we don't have any photos of the real one it gives a great deal of pleasure to know that evokes beautiful memories of 12 years happy holidays and occasional work trips with Dad.
Dad always called her his floating home and would use her whenever it was possible to, and if us kids where on school holidays we would go along.
Even my sisters like to see the model on the water.
Cheers Colin.

Hi MT, that's a scratch built 1/15th scale model that my late dad built in 1964 based on a full sized boat that he had bought at the end of the war.
The model is 53 inches long,
And weighing in at 13.2kilos dry weight without blast or batteries, I named her MV CAROLINE after my wife when I inherited it in 2008 and refurbished her as it had been damaged and lost the aft cabin while in storage. As I hadn't any pictures of the original I decided to use an open aft deck.
The boat it was based on was built in the 30s was a comfortable 6 berth, 2 double cabins forward, large lounge midships with small bathroom and kitchen. The aft cabin was the master with ensuite shower room.
I can't remember what size engine, but it was a big diesel driving a hydraulic gearbox and had a top speed of 15 knots.
As kids me and my 4 sisters spent many happy holidays aboard cruising the East Coast mainly, but each year we would go down to the south coast for the big boat show.
Sorry for waffling on but I loved that old boat.
Cheers Colin.

Nerys, as to the actual count of models, all I can say in excess of 50.
Of which about 20 ready to use, the rest either static display for the shows or awaiting revival.
My moto is don't chuck it out if its interesting as it may make a good display model to show how models have progressed over the years.
I like to have at least 1 model for each decade from 1910 onwards up to 2000 on display.
As for storage about 5 visible in the home. I think there's another 12/15 in the attic. There's another 15ish in my garage workshop and the rest in the trailer.
I sold about 20 duplicates last year and raised £327.85 for RNLI.
Still have some basket cases which I may be able to repair Good enough for the show circuit when it gets going again. The few that I've found that are running this summer don't have a model section. My support for the Kington steam and vintage show over the last 30+ years has fallen on deaf ears as of 2019 they stopped the model section as they couldn't afford the marquee any more, which we shared with the refreshments, but now the refreshments have the whole thing.
I do miss my campervan, it would have been great to do displays in the awning.
So I'll have to keep looking for shows with model sections.
Cheers Colin.

Beautifully done Martin. I think it looks much better than the wooden one.
Cheers Colin.

Just another show, but this was outside with only what we had with us to cover our display on a wet weekend at Pembrey race circuit south Wales on 23rd and 24th August 2013 at the welsh national vintage and steam show.
Awful weather, we were camping with our 2 dogs, but a great show.
Cheers Colin.

Good evening all here are the pictures of my display from Abergavenny steam and vintage show in May 2018.
Individual boat descriptions to follow.
Cheers Colin.

Thank you everyone for the compliments.
As it's something that so many of you are interested in I will try to post pictures with more details very soon, as I need to dig out my archive book with the details of my collection, as my memory isn't working as well as it should.
Stay tuned for updates shortly.
Let's see who else has an eclectic collection to share with us.
Cheers Colin.

Thank you Nerys, I didn't expect to get so much interest from this, but it seems quite interesting to a good few members, so over the next few days I will try and dig out my archive book so I can put details of each boat with photos.
I believe that little sailing dinghy was given to me at the east of England vintage show in Norfolk about 1997/8 .
I will see if I have a better photo, it's beam is half it's length.
Cheers Colin.

MT, vintage shows are sometimes called steam and vintage shows and the are throughout the UK. Look in a magazine called OLD GLORY, there is usually a calendar showing where the shows are.
I haven't been able to show since summer 2019 firstly my own health and then Covid.
But hopefully they will be starting again soon. Britain's best is the Great Somerset show, it's a whole week.
My wife and I usually display in the model section marquee, but occasionally we have displayed out on the field if the weather is good.
Most of these shows have a great selection of vintage transport and machinery of all types to cater for all tastes.
A few pictures from 2017 Kington Steam Show Model tent, showing my boats, wifes lorries and cars, and another modeller who makes matchstick models.
Cheers Colin.
PS. This is the best steam and vintage show in britain:-https://somersettractionengineclub.com/somerset-steam-countr...

https://somersettractionengineclub.com/somerset-steam-country-show

🔗

Sy, Looks like you are getting the shape really well, do I see the doublers on the bulkhead edges.
Going really well sir.
Cheers Colin.

I thought that would have been the case, (or are you building a full size version. On the qt.)
Cheers Colin.

Sy, in places where you have compound curves such as your Fairey, I add doublers to the edge of the bulkheads. 1/4inch Square. Glued and pinned, this gives a good solid area to put screws or pins.
Cheers Colin.

Sy, 48oz? Very heavy duty, the heaviest I ever used was 24oz to build myself a fishing Kayak.
So I don't think you will ever break this one.
Cheers Colin.

Sy, I usually thin my first coat 1 part water 2 parts Ezekote, then any further coats neat. I use 25gsm glass cloth and I have also used a pair of ladies tights(with permission)
Which follows the Hull shape really well without having any overlaps or joints.
Also ezekote mixed with some fine sanding dust makes a great filler paste that sets hard and bonds well without shrinkage.
Hope this helps Colin.